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IN BUSINESS COURTS CULINARY, STATION BOTH PLEASED WITH RULING By Steve Green senior staff writer A n order issued the last week of June by the National Labor Relations Board in one of the cases pitting the Culinary Union against Station Casinos has left both sides pleased. A three-member panel of the NLRB ordered Station to post a notice at Pal- ace Station advising workers that the casino company was found to have violated a federal labor law. The notice must inform workers that they have the right to either form or join a union or choose not to be involved in union organizing, and Station can't threaten or fire them. Station officials described the rul- ing as favorable because the NLRB also upheld an earlier decision by an administrative law judge dismissing six of seven charges in a complaint filed by the NLRB staff. That complaint originated with al- legations from the Culinary Union, the company's refusal to consent to a public card-check organizing proce- dure, as opposed to a secret election, in which workers could choose union representation. Station executives also noted that the NLRB, "in what appears to be an unprecedented move," adjusted the proposed penalty in the case by re- quiring the notice be posted only at Palace Station as opposed to all Sta- tion properties. The administrative law judge found that during an October 2010 incident at Palace Station, a supervisor told a cook supportive of the union "to be quiet about work conditions and staff- ing shortages or he might end up be- ing discharged" like another union supporter previously discharged. "By threatening an employee that he risked losing his job if he engaged in union or other protected concerted activities concerning work which has been fighting Station over ministrative law judge found. The union also called it a win. condi- tions," Station violated the law, the ad- "This is a victory for all workers in Las Vegas and across the country," Culinary Workers Union Local 226 President Geoconda Arguello-Kline said. "It shows that no matter how rich and powerful a company may think it is, the law protects workers against abuse." Station said the ruling involved a "technical violation" rather than monetary damages or an injunction against the company. "We are very pleased that all but one of the allegations presented to the NLRB were found without merit," said Valerie Murzl, Station's senior vice president of human resources. Station hasn't decided yet whether to post the notice at Palace Station or ap- peal the ruling, a spokeswoman said. A much larger case involving more than 80 counts against Station is still pending at the NLRB. Those remain after most of the more than 400 charg- es filed by the Culinary Union were withdrawn or dismissed. TRANSPORTATION SOUTHWEST ADDING WIRELESS TV TO ITS JETS By Richard N. Velotta senior staff writer S outhwest Airlines launched its ver- sion of an in-flight entertainment sys- tem by installing wireless television access on five jets with plans to expand the service to 20 planes by mid-July. Southwest, the busiest air carrier at McCarran International Airport, an- nounced this year that it is collaborat- ing on a live television product with Row 44, the airline's satellite-linked Internet access provider. Passengers on flights equipped with the system will have access to seven live sports and news channels that can be viewed on personal devices. "We believe our customers will enjoy the opportunity to access live TV, in ad- dition to Wi-Fi, using their personal de- SEE SOUTHWEST PAGE 11 August 14 – 15, 2012 | MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Join hundreds of motivated women along with a dynamic lineup of engaging and inspirational speakers for a two-day journey designed to enhance your career, build your professional network and maximize your leadership potential. It's your time to Be Inspired! * Gail Perry-Mason Senior Director of Investments of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. For more information,please visit mgmresorts.com/womensleadershipconference * Jim Murren Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International * Lee Woodruff Author and CBS This Morning Contributing Reporter * Gail J. McGovern President and CEO of the American Red Cross 10 | 9 JULY 2012 |